With its sun-soaked coastlines and year-round appeal, Southern California remains a top contender for group gatherings. A new lineup of upgraded spaces, reimagined venues and creative teambuilding options is giving meeting planners fresh inspiration—and plenty of reasons to dream about SoCal for their next gathering.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Paradise Point Resort & Spa, the 44-acre island retreat, has completed a top-to-bottom renovation of its conference center, introducing more than 60,000 sf of refreshed indoor and outdoor meeting space.
Located on San Diego’s Mission Bay, the resort’s core venues—including the Paradise Ballroom, Mission Bay Ballroom, Sunset Ballroom and multiple breakout rooms—have all been redesigned to maximize versatility.
Highlights include waterfront terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, vaulted wood ceilings and outdoor lawns ideal for receptions, teambuilding and social events. Technology upgrades play a major role in the transformation, with meeting rooms outfitted with integrated lighting, advanced AV systems, laser projectors, high-speed connectivity and energy-efficient solutions such as LED lighting and rechargeable components.
Groups can tap into the resort’s wide range of amenities: waterfront dining at Tidal and Barefoot Bar & Grill, treatments at The Spa at Paradise Point, five pools, a full-service marina and a mile of sandy beach. Activities like paddleboarding, miniature golf, biking and evening beach bonfires make the resort well-suited for retreats that blend work and leisure.
Just 15 minutes from San Diego International Airport and close to downtown, Paradise Point has launched a limited-time “Reward Your Team in Paradise” group promotion with discounted rates and additional concessions for groups booking 10 rooms or more on peak nights. Discounts extend to team-building activities, spa services, banquet menus, and resort fees, depending on group size.
Kona Kai San Diego
Kona Kai San Diego offers a dynamic backdrop for meetings and incentives, where boardroom sessions are complemented by panoramic views of the bay, downtown skyline and the resort’s 520-slip marina. For planners seeking memorable breakout options, the resort delivers a mix of high-energy activities and restorative wellness experiences designed to keep groups engaged.
Teams can take advantage of the property’s waterfront location with paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing charters or pier fishing between sessions. Through a partnership with Fit City Adventures, planners can also incorporate organized beach volleyball games, field day competitions or seaside badminton.
For a more restorative pause, the resort’s “Pawsitive Vibes Break” brings in trained canine ambassadors from the San Diego Humane Society, offering attendees a chance to decompress, reset and enjoy a moment of fun.
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
San Diego Mission Bay Resort is putting a fresh spotlight on group engagement with the debut of a new team-building menu designed to spark creativity, connection and friendly competition. Set along the shores of Mission Bay, the expanded offerings provide planners with a wide range of options to energize attendees between sessions or build dedicated team-building time into the agenda.
The resort now features action-focused activities such as the Ultimate Splash & Spike Tournament, San Diego Sand Survivor and Mission Bay Glow Games—ideal for groups looking to blend fitness, camaraderie and a bit of beachside fun. For something more exploratory, teams can head out on paddleboards for a guided tour to Fiesta Island.
Planners seeking collaborative problem-solving experiences will find options like The Bay Barter Game and the Regatta Rumble boat-building challenge, which test creativity and strategy. Lighter options, including a custom resort scavenger hunt or trivia challenge, offer accessible ways for attendees to bond without breaking a sweat.
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